Electrical switched load relocation apparatus

ABSTRACT

A wireless transmitter associated with a switched electrical connection and a receiver therefor, adapted for connection in an electrical path between the source of power and a load, enables the load to be controlled by the switch originally used to control the switched electrical connection. The communication between the transmitter and receiver may be realized only when power is applied or removed from the switched connection, or, alternatively, this communication may be carried out on a per-cycle basis, enabling a phase-delay type of control over the relocated load, including dimming of the relocated load without requiring modification to a previously installed dimmer switch. The signal radiated by the transmitter may be of acoustic or electromagnetic origin, though IR transmissions are used in the preferred embodiment. The transmitter module includes means for making electrical contact to a switched electrical connection, and means for transmitting a wireless signal in response to the application of electrical Dower to the switched electrical connection, and the receiver module includes means for making electrical contact to a source of electrical power, means for making contact to an electrical load, and means for routing electrical power from the source to the load in response to the signal transmitted by the transmitter module. Exposed wires, plug- and socket-type connections may be utilized as alternatives depending upon physical implementation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electrical switching andcontrol, and, more particularly, to apparatus enabling an electricallyswitched load, including a load operated using a dimmer function, to berelocated to another location where power is available.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The rooms in many homes are illuminated with ceiling lights, which areefficient in terms of coverage, but often cast harsh shadows or make theroom seem small. Often times rooms can be made more appealing with flooror table lamps used to create particular functional areas or moods.Accordingly, some homes are built in such a way than when one enters aroom and turns on the lightswitch, a wall outlet is powered at the sametime or instead of a ceiling fixture, enabling the lightswitch tocontrol a floor or table lamp for a higher degree of ambiance.

Unless the structure is already wired to switch a wall outlet upon entryinto a particular room, the options for utilizing floor or table lampsinstead of overhead fixtures are limited or difficult to implement.Often the resident simply turns on the overhead lamp, and uses the lightproduced to switch on one or more floor or table lamps, then, using thelight which they provide, go back and turn off the overhead lamp.Although this is inconvenient, it produces the desired effect.Alternatively, the homeowner can have particular rooms rewired forswitched wall outlets, but this necessitates a great degree ofinconvenience and expense. Thus, an economical, easily implementedmechanism for relocating a switched electrical connection, such as aceiling outlet, to a wall outlet, would therefore be welcomed bynumerous homeowners, home builders, architects, interior decorators, andothers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wireless transmitter associated with aswitched electrical connection, and a receiver adapted for connection inan electrical path between the source of power and a load, enabling theload to be controlled by the switch originally used to control theswitched electrical connection. The communication between thetransmitter and receiver may be realized only when power is applied orremoved from the switched connection, or, alternatively, thiscommunication may be carried out on a per-cycle basis, enabling aphase-delay type of control over the relocated load, including dimmingof the relocated load without requiring modification to a previouslyinstalled dimmer switch.

Electrical switched-load relocation apparatus according to the inventionincludes a transmitter module in electrical communication with theswitched electrical connection, the transmitter module being operativeto radiate a signal when electrical power is applied to tile connection,and a receive module disposed in an electrical path between a source ofelectrical power and an electrical load, the receiver being operative toroute power from the source to the load in response to the signalradiated by the transmitter. The signal radiated by the transmitter maybe of acoustic or electro-magnetic origin.

More particularly, the transmitter module includes means for makingelectrical contact to a switched electrical connection, and means fortransmitting a wireless signal in response to the application ofelectrical power to the switched electrical connection, and the receivermodule includes means for making electrical contact to a source ofelectrical power, means for making contact to an electrical load, andmeans for routing electrical power from the source to the load inresponse to the signal transmitted by the transmitter module. The meansfor making electrical contact to the switched electrical connection maytake on many forms, including a set of exposed wires, a plug to beinserted into a switched electrical outlet, or a threaded base to beinserted into a switched electrical socket. The means for makingelectrical contact to a source of electrical power may adopt many formsas well, including a see of exposed wires, a plug to be inserted into anelectrical outlet, a threaded base to be inserted into an electricalsocket. The means for making contact to an electrical load may includesan electrical outlet into which a load having a plug may be inserted oran electrical socket into which a load having a threaded base may beinstalled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a room illustratingphysical implementations which the present invention may assume;

FIG. 2A is an electrical block diagram of a transmitter module accordingto the invention which does not function on a per-cycle basis;

FIG. 2B is an electrical block diagram of a receiver module responsiveto the transmitter depicted in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an electrical block diagram of a transmitter module capableof communicating a control signal on a per-cycle basis; and

FIG. 3B is an electrical block diagram of a receiver module responsiveto the transmitter module of FIG. 3A, thereby accommodating a relocatedload which benefits from a dimmer function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a wireless transmitter associated with aswitched electrical connection, and a receiver adapted for connection inan electrical path between the source of power and a load, enabling theload to be controlled by the switched originally used to control theswitched electrical connection. The communication between thetransmitter and receiver may be realized only when power is applied orremoved from the switched connection, or, alternatively, suchcommunication may be carried out on a per-cycle basis, enabling aphase-delay type of control over the relocated load, including dimmingof the relocated load without requiring modification to a previouslyinstalled dimmer switch. Various techniques will further be disclosed toensure that a particular transmitter reliably activates only one or agiven set of receivers, including physical directioning and encodedaddressing schemes between matched transmitters and receivers.

The signal between the transmitter and receiver may be optical,acoustical or RF in nature, though, in the preferred embodiment and forreasons of reduced cost and component availability, infrared (IR)transmissions are used. However, it should be clear to one of skill inthe art that the IR transmitters and receivers of this invention may bereplaced straightforwardly with other wireless communication forms, suchas acoustic, including supersonic, RF, and so forth. The choice to useinfrared is primarily based upon the availability of inexpensivetransducers, both as transmitters and receivers. Realization of theinvention utilizing acoustical transducers or RF transmitters andreceivers, though possible, would be more expensive to implement orpresent other hurdles, such as the need for FCC certification, and soforth.

FIG. 1 shows a number of ways in which the invention may be physicallyimplemented to meet the needs of a wide range of applications. Thetransmitter module may be installed either in a ceiling fixture or in anexisting switched wall outlet or lamp socket using a variety ofconvenient installation mechanisms. With regard to ceiling installation,a previously installed ceiling light fixture 110 may simply be removedand a new fixture 112 according to he invention including an infraredtransmitter LED 114 may be installed in its place. The infrared LED 114is preferably supported on a rotating turret 116, enabling the device tobe “aimed” no the location of a particular receiver.

As one alternate to the replacement of the ceiling fixture 110, thefixture may be kept in place, bum with one or more of the bulbs 120being removed to install instead, one or more transmitter modules 122,each having a threaded base end 123 and a transmitter end 125. As afurther alternative, a module 128 according to the invention may includea threaded end 129 and a threaded socket into which a bulb 130 may beinserted. In this case, the module 128 may have one or more transmitterboards 132 spaced about the outer side wall of the device between thethreaded base 129 and socket containing bulb 130. Utilizing thisparticular embodiment, when the ceiling fixture is electricallyactivated, both the transmitter within module 128 and bulb 130 will bepowered, enabling a remote load to be switched simultaneously with thebulb 130. As yet a further alternative implementation of this particularembodiment, the receiver, discussed below, may simply be designed to beresponsive to the light produced by a “master” bulb, particularlyincandescent, enabling the remote load to function as a “slave” withoutthe need for a transmitter of specialized radiation.

Instead of ceiling installation, the transmitter module according to theinvention may be adapted for wall installation, either as a plug-in typeunit 140, which simply plugs into a standard outlet 142 shrouded with acover plate 144. Alternatively, the receptacle containing outlet 142 andcover plate 144 may be removed, and a transmitter module 150 may insteadbe installed for a more permanent replacement of the receptacle. Such apermanent replacement may be advantageous, for example, in using theinvention to relocate a switched outlet to a different outlet lessaccessible to small children.

The receiver module of this invention may also take on various physicalconfigurations, including a module 160 having an end with prongs 162adapted for installation into a standard receptacle 164, and a secondend 126 into which a plug 168 may be inserted. The actual receivertransducer 170 is shown exposed on an upper surface of the body of themodule 160. As with the transmitter module, as an alternate to a plug-intype of unit the receptacle assembly and cover plate may be removed andreplaced with a unit such as that depicted at 172 having a receivertransducer 174 which controls a receptacle 176 in accordance with asignal transmitted by the receiver, as will be discussed below.

Other alternative physical configurations for the receiver furtherexist, including that depicted by module 180, which has a threaded end182 adapted to screw into a fixture 184 such as a lamp fixture, andanother end 186 having a socket into which a load may be installed, suchas lightbulb 188. In this case, one or more receiver transducers 190would be positioned outside the body of the module 180, as shown. Withthis particular configuration, and using a lamp as an example, the lampwould be plugged into the wall and turned on with switch 192 with themodule 180 and bulb 188 in place. Although the lamp is turned on withswitch 192, the bulb will remain off until controlled in accordance withthe signal from one or more of the transmitters described herein.

In the preferred embodiment, the transmitter takes the form of ascrew-in type unit such as module 122, and the receiver takes the formof module such as 160 having male and female prongs. This is thepreferred embodiment since it enables the consumer to very easilyinstall both the transmitter and receiver without the use of anyspecialized tools, and without the need to remove power, for example, byopening a circuit breaker. Using this physical configuration as anexample, the operation of the invention is briefly described as follows.When an individual enters the room and activates the switch 199, poweris applied to the overhead outlet. Assuming all ceiling-mounted lightshave been removed, and that aa lease one module 122 has been insertedinto a socket associated with the ceiling fixture, the switched power isnot applied to a large load, but is instead applied to the transmittermodule electronics contained within the unit 122. Application of powerto this unit causes a wireless signal to be radiated through transducer125 which is sensed by pick up 170 and the module 160. Assuming themodule 160 has been inserted into a standard wall outlet wherein poweris continuously available, the electronics contained in the module 160is continuously ready to receive such a transmitted signal. Assuming alamp having a bulb inserted there into and having been previouslyswitched on, is plugged into the end 166 of the module 160, electronicswithin the module 160 further route power from the outlet to the linecord of the lamp through receiver module electronics, in response to thereceived signal, causing the lamp to turn on. Thus, a switched load, inthis case, a lightbulb, has been effectively relocated using theinvention. It should be understood than any type of electrical load maybe relocated in a similar manner utilizing the appropriate set oftransmitter and receiver modules.

As with physical configuration, the electronics associated with both thetransmitter and receiver modules of this invention may also take onvarious electrical circuit configurations, depending upon whether asingle pulse or signal is transmitted only during actual switching by auser, or whether signal transmission occurs on a per-cycle basis,thereby accommodating the relocation of a phase delay load such as alight dimmer. Additionally, order to ensure that a transmitter in onearea does not falsely trigger the wrong receiver, mechanical and/orelectrical or optical considerations may be added to ensure properreceiver addressing and/or activation.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a transmitter/receiver which is notbased upon per-cycle communication but, instead, involves a singlecommunication when the load is switched on and a single communicationwhen the load is switched off. A transmitter module respecting thisembodiment is shown in FIG. 2A, having means 202 adapted for connectionto a switched connection as described above with regard to physicalconfigurations, a power supply 204 and a pulse generator 206 driving, inthis case, an infrared light emitting diode 208. While operate thetransmitter so as to continuously output a signal or stream of pulsesfrom the IR diode 208 using pulse generator 206, to conserve power andprolong the life of the components involved, it may be advantageous tosend out a single pulse or stream of pulses when the connection isinitially switched, and a second pulse or stream of pulses when turnedoff. Thus, in terms of circuitry power supply 204 may be implementedusing a variety of circuit techniques familiar to one of skill inelectrical engineering, depending upon the sophistication of pulsegenerator 206. As examples, in the event pulse generator 206 is calledupon to transmit but a single pulse upon power-up and power-down, powersupply 204 may not provide direct current continuously in a traditionalsense, but rather, may simply include appropriate capacitors andtriggers such as zener diodes and/or power transistors to activate thetransducer actually responsible for pulse transmission. In thissimplified case, then, the functions of power supply 204 and pulsegenerator 206 may effectively be combined.

If, however, pulse generator 206 is used to generate a series of pulsesand, in particular, if such pulses are to be encoded in some fashion asdescribed below, pulse generator 206 may be much more sophisticated andmay include a programmable device such as a single-chip microcomputer,or the like. In this case, then, power supply 204 may be moretraditional in that it will generate a continuous DC. In preferredimplementations of this embodiment, in lieu of more expensive componentssuch as transformers, a single-chip voltage regulator including powerMOSFETs is utilized to facilitate direct connection to the AC line.

As mentioned, if a stream of pulses are utilized, upon initialization,such pulses may also conveniently be used to encode an address for aparticular receiver. In this case the circuitry involved would besomewhat more sophisticated, and may include the use of a single-chipmicrocomputer of conventional design having one or more inputs such asswitches to encode address programming. Although not shown, since thetransmitter is associated with a switched connection, circuitry mayfurther be provided to delay the activation of the various circuitsshown in the figures until the voltage level from the power supply 204has stabilized.

FIG. 2B illustrates one embodiment of a receiver operative to activate aload in accordance with a signal radiated by the transmitter of FIG. 2A.Broadly, the receiver of FIG. 2B includes means 250 for makingconnection to a source of power as described earlier with reference toFIG. 1, and a power supply 252. As with the power supply 204 associatedwith the transmitter of FIG. 2A, it will be appreciated by thoseinvolved with circuit design that single-chip power supplies are nowavailable which may make direct connection no higher-voltage inputsources, including such direct connection no an AC line.

The output of the power supply 252 is fed to a receiver circuit 254coupled to an infrared detector 256 and the output of the receiver 254is used to drive an AC switch such as a triac 268 through a gatingcircuit 258. The output of the switch 268 is further coupled to means270 for making connection to a load, which may be of any of the typesdescribed earlier with reference to FIG. 1. Note that since the switchedload is in parallel with the power supply 252, power will remain imposedupon the supply even in the event that switch 268 has routed power tothe load through means 270, thereby enabling the receiver 254 tocontinue to watch for an “off” pulse from the transmitter even while theload is “on”.

The receiver 254 may be implemented in various ways, depending uponwhether the transmitter utilizes single on/off activation or a stream ofpulses. In the event of a single-pulse approach, the receiver 254 willpreferably include some means for alternating between on and offactivation, such as a simple flip flop gated by the receipt of atransmitted IR pulse. In the event that a data stream is utilized withreceiver addressing, functional block 254 will represent moresophisticated logic circuitry such as a single-chip microcomputer ofconventional design, including input means for setting a correct addressfor the receipt of an appropriate pulse train.

FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, whereinthe transmitter and receiver are both able to accommodate a phase-delaytype of activation, thereby permitting the use of a relocated dimmerswitching function. FIG. 3A illustrates a transmitter for thisembodiment, whereas FIG. 3B presents a schematic diagram for acorresponding receiver. The transmitter of FIG. 3A, includes means 302for making connection to a switched electrical outlet as describedpreviously with respect to FIG. 1, and means 304 for rectifying thesignal if in AC form, such as a full-wave bridge, as shown. Triggercircuit 307 provides a pulse to infrared diode 320, thus radiating awireless signal, when the input voltage exceeds a threshold indicatingturn-on. In the event that the application of power is delayed by phaseangle α due to the attachment of a dimmer at connection means 302, thetransmitter of FIG. 3A responds to this condition, and simply delays theturn-on of IR diode 320 in accordance with this phase angle.

The receiver for this embodiment, shown in FIG. 3B, includes means 350for making attachment to a source of power, and a circuit 357 providingbias to IR receiver 364. Upon receipt of an infrared pulse, detectordevice 364 switches on, causing the gating of a switch, preferably triac380, thereby activating the load through connection means 386. A gatingcircuit 372 including a DIAC, example, may be included in the circuitfor reliable performance. Since the load through connection means 386and the pulse receiving components just described are in parallel withthe source of power through means 350, as with the circuit of FIG. 2,subsequent pulses may be received to continue the operation of thecircuit, including transmissions associated with phase-delay switching.Even though the transmitter and receiver are remotely disposed within aroom, assuming the relocated load is not extremely inductive orcapacitive in nature, zero crossing of the AC wave should be consistentbetween the two locations to afford this remote dimming function.

What is claimed is:
 1. Electrical An electrical switched-load relocationapparatus adapted for use with an electrical connection, controlled by aswitch, a source of A.C. electrical power, and an electrical load,comprising: a wireless transmitter module in electrical communicationwith the electrical connection and the source of A.C. electrical power,the transmitter module being operative to radiate a remote-controlsignal on a per-cycle basis when the electrical power is applied to theconnection through the switch; and a wireless receiver module physicallyseparate from the wireless transmitter module and disposed in anelectrical path between the source of A.C. electrical power and theelectrical load, the receiver being operative to route power from thesource to the load on a per-cycle basis in response to theremote-control signal radiated by the transmitter, thereby enabling theswitch to control a relocated load on a delayed-phase basis.
 2. Theelectrical switched-load relocation apparatus as see set forth in claim1, wherein the signal radiated by the transmitter is an infrared signal.3. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the signal radiated by the transmitter is an RF signal.4. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the signal radiated by the transmitter is an acousticalsignal.
 5. The electrical switched-load relocation apparatus as setforth in claim 1 including a switched electrical connection associatedwith an electrical outlet located in the ceiling of a room.
 6. Theelectrical switched-load relocation apparatus as set forth in claim 1including a switched electrical connection associated with a wall outletof a room.
 7. A system for relocating a switched electrical connection,comprising: a transmitter module, including: a threaded base for makingelectrical contact to a switched electrical socket of the typeconfigured to receive a light bulb with treaded base, and means otherthan the light bulb for transmitting a wireless signal in response tothe application of electrical power to the switched electrical socket;and a receiver module, including: means for making electrical contact toa source of electrical power, means for making contact to an electricalload, and means for routing electrical power from the source to the loadin response to the signal transmitted by the transmitter module.
 8. Thesystem as see forth in claim 7, wherein the transmitter module furtherincludes means for making electrical contact to an electrical load whichreceives power in response to the application of electrical power to theswitched electrical connection.
 9. The system as set forth in claim 7wherein the means for making electrical contact to a source ofelectrical power includes a set of exposed wires adapted for connectionto a corresponding set of exposed wires.
 10. The system as set forth inclaim 7, wherein the means for making electrical contact to a source ofelectrical power includes a plug to be inserted into an electricaloutlet.
 11. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means formaking electrical contact to a source of electrical power includes athreaded base to be inserted into an electrical socket.
 12. The systemas set forth in claim 7, wherein the means for making contact to anelectrical load includes an electrical outlet into which a load having aplug may be inserted.
 13. The system as set forth in claim 7, whereinthe means for making contact to an electrical load includes anelectrical socket into which a load having a threaded base may beinstalled.
 14. The system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the means fortransmitting a wireless signal in response to the application ofelectrical power to the switched electrical connection and the means forrouting electrical power from the source to the load in response to thewireless signal both function on a per-cycle basis in conjunction withAC power, thereby permitting remote phase-angle control.
 15. In anelectrical circuit configuration wherein a source of AC power is routedto an electrical outlet and to a first load associated with a ceilingfixture controlled by a manually operated switch, a method ofcontrolling a second load at the outlet using the switch, comprising thesteps of: replacing the first load with a wireless remote transmitter,the transmitter being operative to radiate a control signal inaccordance with the setting of the manually operated switch; installinga wireless remote receiver at the outlet, the receiver including anelectrically operated switch responsive to the control signal radiatedby the transmitter; connecting the second load to the receiver; andcontrolling the second load using the manually operated switch.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the control signal radiated by thetransmitter is an RF, infrared, or acoustical signal.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the transmitter includes a threaded base enabling thetransmitter to be screwed into a standard lamp socket.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the transmitter includes a set of prongs enabling thetransmitter to be plugged into standard wall outlet.
 19. The method ofclaim 15, wherein second load is a light bulb, and the receiverincludes: a threaded base enabling the receiver to be screwed intostandard lamp socket; and a threaded receptacle to receive the lightbulb.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiver includes a set ofprongs enabling the receiver to be plugged into a standard wall outlet.21. The method of claim 20, wherein the receiver includes an outlet intowhich the second load can be plugged.
 22. In an electrical circuitconfiguration wherein a source of AC power is routed to an electricaloutlet and to a first load controlled by a manually operated switch, amethod of controlling a second load at the outlet using the switch,comprising the steps of: installing a wireless remote transmitter at thelocation of the first load, the transmitter being operative to radiate acontrol signal in accordance with the setting of the manually operatedswitch; installing a wireless remote receiver at the outlet, thereceiver including an electrically operated switch responsive to thecontrol signal radiated by the transmitter; connecting the second loadto the receiver module; and dimming the second load using the manuallyoperated switch.
 23. In an electrical circuit configuration wherein asource of AC power operating on a per-cycle basis is routed to anelectrical outlet and to a first load at a ceiling fixture controlled bya manually operated switch, a method of controlling a second load at theoutlet using the switch, comprising the steps of: installing a wirelessremote transmitter at the ceiling fixture, the transmitter beingoperative to radiate a control signal in accordance with the setting ofthe manually operated switch; installing a wireless remote receiver atthe outlet, the receiver including an electrically operated switchresponsive to the control signal radiated by the transmitter; connectingthe second load to the receiver module; and controlling the second loadusing the manually operated switch.
 24. The method of claim 23, whereinthe control signal radiated by the transmitter is an RF, infrared, oracoustical signal.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the step ofinstalling the transmitter replaces the first load.
 26. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the transmitter includes a threaded base enabling thetransmitter to be screwed into standard lamp socket.
 27. The method ofclaim 23, wherein second load is a light bulb, and the receiverincludes: a threaded base enabling the receiver to be screwed intostandard lamp socket; and a threaded receptacle to receive the lightbulb.
 28. The method of claim 23, wherein the receiver includes a set ofprongs enabling the receiver to be plugged into standard wall outlet.29. The method of claim 28, wherein the receiver includes an outlet intowhich the second load can be plugged.
 30. The method of claim 28,wherein the second load is controlled on a per-cycle basis.
 31. In anelectrical circuit configuration wherein a source of AC power operatingon a per-cycle basis is routed to a fixture and to a first load, thefirst load being controlled by a manually operated switch, a method ofcontrolling a second load at the fixture, comprising the steps of:installing a wireless remote transmitter at the first load, thetransmitter being operative to radiate a control signal in accordancewith the setting of the manually operated switch; installing a wirelessremote receiver at the fixture, the receiver including an electricallyoperated switch responsive to the control signal radiated by thetransmitter; connecting the second load to the receiver module; andcontrolling the second load using the manually operated switch.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the control signal radiated by thetransmitter is an RF, infrared, or acoustical signal.
 33. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the step of installing the transmitter replaces thefirst load.
 34. The method of claim 31, wherein the transmitter includesa threaded base enabling the transmitter to be screwed into a threadedsocket.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein second load is a light bulb,and the receiver includes: a threaded base enabling the receiver to bescrewed into a threaded socket; and a threaded receptacle to receive thelight bulb.